you don't have to buy the radio shack computers to buy the starband (echostar) satellite. i bypassed and went to a local electronics dealer and bought my dish. had to pay $200 to have them install it though, they have to config the modem to triangulate your coordinates, you can't install it yourself.
i've had it for a few months now up in BFE michigan where nothing else is available, phone lines are so old up there 56k is more like 12k.
anyhoo, the satellite is ok, i am not thrilled beyonds words but i am seeing speeds of about 200-300k up and down, sometimes slower. my cable modem was much faster and cheaper.
last year i bought DirecPC's piece of shit and got ripped off for $600, it's now sitting in my garage collecting dust.
i have been *very* actively seeking wireless since last summer and starband is by far the better option for now at least. i am keeping on top of this myself, if i find something better i will post it. until then i am looking into microwave set ups.
